To get your herbs and medicinal leaves through the border, preparation and packing must strictly follow hygiene and biosecurity standards. Here is a practical 5-step process to minimise this risk.

Step 1: Select and clean the raw materials

Canadian customs is very strict about insects, mould, soil and pathogens on plants. Even a little soil on a root is enough to have the whole parcel destroyed immediately.

• Remove impurities: All dried leaves, roots and stems used as herbal medicine must be completely free of soil and sand. Don’t send tubers or roots that haven’t been properly cleaned.
• Dry thoroughly: Herbs must be dried until crisp, with no remaining moisture. Moisture inside plastic bags condenses on a long journey and lets mould grow. If customs opens a bag and finds mould, it will be destroyed on the spot.
• Check for pests: Make sure leaves and seeds haven’t been eaten by insects or weevils.

Step 2: Vacuum-seal in small portions

Putting all the medicine in one large sack is the most common mistake that gets parcels held.

• Split into small bags: Divide the herbal medicine into individual doses or small packs (about 100 g to 500 g). This is convenient for the user and lets customs check the contents visually without tearing open a large bag.
• Vacuum-seal: Use thick, purpose-made bags and vacuum-seal them tightly. Removing the oxygen stops mould growing during the 7–14 day air journey to Canada. It also saves a lot of space in the box.

Step 3: Label clearly in English or French

Canadian customs can’t guess what a bag of brown powder or a handful of dried leaves contains. Without a label, they will assume it is a prohibited substance or a harmful plant.

• Product name: On each small vacuum-sealed pack, add a label with the product name in English or French (for example, Dried Herbal Tea, Dried Cleistocalyx operculatus leaves, Dried Polyscias fruticosa root). Include the plant’s scientific name if possible.
• Ingredients: State that it is 100% natural, with no preservatives or harmful chemicals.
• Origin: Write “Product of Vietnam”.

Step 4: Pack in a standard carton

Once each small pack is sealed, arrange them neatly in a strong carton.

• Pack in order: Put heavy packs and hard roots at the bottom and crumbly leaves on top.
• Fill the gaps: Use bubble wrap or kraft paper to fill all gaps so the packs can’t move, knock together and tear the vacuum bags in transit.
• Tape: Seal every edge of the box with wide tape to keep outside moisture out.

Step 5: Declare accurately to customs

When sending herbal medicine to Canada, an honest and accurate declaration on the waybill decides whether your goods clear customs.

• Declare in detail: Don’t write a vague “medicine”, “gift” or “dried goods”. Write “Dried herbal medicine for personal use”.
• Don’t hide anything: Never hide herbs among clothing or other personal items to avoid inspection. Customs scanners will detect them, and deliberate concealment will get your entire shipment confiscated and may even lead to a fine.

Ship to Canada safely with Soleil Transportation

Posting dried leaves and herbal medicine yourself carries many risks if you don’t fully understand Canada’s plant import rules. At Soleil Transportation, we help customers check that labels are compliant and advise on the best way to pack before the flight.

• Fast transit: Air shipping from Vietnam to Canada takes just 7–14 days (7–12 business days on average), so herbs keep their medicinal properties and don’t go mouldy from long storage.
• Great rates: Shipping from Vietnam to Canada starts at just $16/kg, including import duties and basic packing in a carton.
• Easy tracking: Track your parcel online with your order number or receive automatic updates by email, SMS or Zalo.

Before packing herbal medicine for Canada, contact the Soleil Transportation team on +1 888-998-5199 or email your list of herbs to info@soleiltransportation.com. We will check them carefully against the list of permitted imports so your shipment goes as smoothly as possible.